Monday, July 26, 2004

Democratic National Convention blogs from Florida For those who just can't get enough convention blogs, here's a couple I've come across that have Florida ties. -  Scott Maxwell is a columnist from the Orlando Sentinel. -  The Florida Democratic Party convention blog  is pretty skinny at the moment. Politics comment []10:29:06 PM   trackback []

Castor for Senate News 20040726 On Saturday, Betty Castor's campaign released their second television ad. Like the first, it is airing in Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and Gainesville. Its theme is Castor's support for the military. Somewhat unusual for an ad in a Democrat primary, but one that should play well in the places it is being broadcast. Real Player Quick Time Windows Media Text I tend to be suspicious of politicans vowing support for the military. All too often, they are not really pro-military, but are very "pro not getting their base closed". Indeed the ad makes a reference to fighting for Florida's military bases. The ad mentions a Military Families Bill of Rights and lists her website as the reference for it. From the ad Her Military Families' Bill of Rights guarantees health care, housing, and education. source : www.BettyCastor2004.com This seems to be more of an ad for people who want to be pro-military than an ad for people who are actually in the military. Most serving would be puzzled at the guarantee of health care, housing and education, as those are pretty well taken care of. Of course one can always say "but I'll give it even more money". This is what I find on her website Fight for a Military Families Bill of Rights providing better pay, health care, housing and educational benefits for those who serve their country including the National Guard and Reserves. Pretty vague statment, and one that certainly sounds like "I'll make it better by spending more money". ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Washington Post mentions that like Tom Daschle, Betty Castor will not be at the Convention on Thursday when John Kerry takes the nomination (despite plans to be there today through Wednesday). Senate Hopefuls Are Convention No-Show. (Washington Post) Florida Senate Campaign, Politics comment []6:31:43 PM   trackback []

Senate Campaign News 20040726 Not much news today, as most focus on the start of the Democratic National Convention. The Florida-Times Union and South Florida Sun-Sentinel finally published stories about their Senate poll. It is somewhat different from the Mason-Dixon poll released on Friday. The biggest difference on the Republican side is that it has Gallagher in third place at 16% (compared to fourth place at 5% in the M-D poll). McCollum leads at 29% and Mel Martinez follows at 21%. It shows the Democrat race a bit tighter than the Mason-Dixon Poll indicated. It shows Betty Castor leading at 38% with Peter Deutsch in second at 27% and Alex Penelas in third at 16%. On both sides the poll showed fewer people undecided. On the Republican side 25% were and on the Democrat side only 21% said so. The poll was of likely primary voters and had a margin of error of 5%. Senate race tightens for boths sides (Florida Times-Union) Senate front-runners see early leads shrink (South Florida Sun-Sentinal) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Mel Martinez campaign wasted no time putting out the news from the Mason-Dixon Poll. They sent out two e-mails to supporters, both of which had the overall message "Only Martinez can beat Betty Castor". The first e-mail was mostly selected quotes from articles about the Mason-Dixon poll. The second was an article from NewsMax.com: Fla Poll: Only Martinez Can Beat Democrat. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LATER: Missed this article in the St Petersburg Times: Senate hopefuls follow party line on Iraq Not much news on the face of it; if you're a Republican you back President Bush's stance on Iraq, if you're a Democrat, then you don't. Although, on the Democratic side things are somewhat interesting. Representative Peter Deutsch voted for the war resolution. Deutsch now gives the stock "if I knew then what I know now" line to disavow his vote. Alex Penelas is unequivocally against it (he advocates a complete pull-out of troops from Iraq). But what about the front-runner Betty Castor? Former state education commissioner Betty Castor of Tampa refused to answer whether she would vote for it now, saying there are too many "what ifs." Sounds like 'If the war goes well, then I'm for it.' and 'If the war doesn't go well then I'm against it'! Saying t"here are too many 'what ifs' "won't fly on the Senate floor. Florida Senate Campaign, Politics comment []11:06:13 AM   trackback []